Patrick Cantlay is already in Italy for the Ryder Cup next week. The current world No. 5 is a valuable member of the USA squad, along with his long-time friend, whom fans expect to see him pair up with. In a press conference on Tuesday, the 31-year-old golfer was asked about the team spirit and his personal bonding with his long-time partner.

Cantlay was unusually candid about his feelings. Comparing his friend to Tony Robbins, the PGA Tour pro revealed that most people would be “grumpy” around his Ryder Cup teammate!

Cantlay’s ‘impressively positive’ confession about his teammate

Cantlay and his teammate, Xander Schauffele, as it turns out, are paired closely in the OWGR points table as well, with the former currently sitting at 5, one ahead of his compatriot. The duo will most likely make an appearance together in foursomes and fourballs at Marco Simone next week. Before that, the eight-time PGA Tour winner was quizzed about his bonding with his long-time playing partner.

When asked whether there was a “ying-yang” connection between them, the golfer jokingly said, “Did you just get that notion right now?” Upon being pressed further, the 2021 FedEx cup winner revealed that Schauffele has an extremely optimistic worldview and motivating personality.

“Most people would be grumpy around Xander. He is like Tony Robbins out there,” explained Cantlay. “He is impressively positive.” Compared to his compatriot, he considers himself more practical. “I think the nice way to say it is I’m a realist,” he stated.

Since the 15-time major winner, Tiger Woods, paired them together in the 2019 Presidents Cup, they have been a go-to pair in international tournaments. They have played a combined five matches at the Presidents and Ryder Cups and won all of them. Together, they won the Zurich Classic Trophy in 2022 as well. It makes one wonder: What makes them such a formidable duo?

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Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele complement each other

What makes them such a formidable duo is their complementary skills—Cantlay makes up for what Schauffele lacks and vice versa. Schauffele is a brilliant putter, almost nailing every putt from four to ten feet. Whereas, Cantlay has consistently nailed his approach shots.

Cantlay and Xander paired up in the last edition of the Ryder Cup, notching three victories from their two foursomes and one fourball match together. If the duo can carry the momentum from two years ago, it will certainly help Team USA achieve something that has remained elusive for the past 30 years—a Ryder Cup win in Europe.

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